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Sturgis Police Report Busy Wednesday with Assaults, D.U.I. Arrests, and Parking Violations
STURGIS, S.D. — Sturgis Police reported a busy Wednesday in their latest rally report. Police made 3 arrests for assault, 2 for disorderly conduct, and 4 for misdemeanor drug possession, while also responding to 5 fight calls. Police Chief Geody Vandewater says they also responded to 4 domestic disturbance calls, 7 D.U.I. calls, and handed out 15 illegal parking citations. Year-to-date, illegal parking, D.U.I., drug arrests, and fights have seen the highest numbers.
Rapid City Law Enforcement Conducts Compliance Checks on Hemp-Based Intoxicants
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City law enforcement has conducted what sources in law enforcement and government say could be one of the first compliance checks for hemp-based intoxicants since a South Dakota law banning their sale took effect a little over a year ago. Officers and deputies visited eight area smoke shops and convenience stores, purchasing products like gummies, suckers, vape cartridges, and beverages containing hemp-derived ingredients. The products will be tested to see if they contain any of the prohibited high-inducing chemicals lawmakers voted to restrict in 2024.
Emily’s Hope Takes Action to Combat Opioid Overdoses Across South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — One local nonprofit is taking action to fight opioid overdoses in Rapid City and across South Dakota. Emily’s Hope is now placing free naloxone kits — also known as Narcan — in public spaces like Monument Health and Fork Real Café. Founder Angela Kennecke started the mission after losing her daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning. So far, Emily’s Hope has distributed over 15,000 naloxone doses statewide, including in grocery stores, libraries, and several tribal communities, including Pine Ridge.
Rapid Transit System Sees Significant Ridership Increase, Passes 250,000 Trips Mark
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Since last September, more than a quarter-million passenger trips have been recorded on Rapid Transit System (RTS) buses! RTS recorded 21,589 passenger trips during July, a nine percent jump over June’s ridership numbers, and a 15 percent increase over the same month a year ago. Since last September, more than 252,000 passenger trips have been recorded on RapidRide and Dial-A-Ride bus operations. July’s overall ridership total increased by more than 2,700 passenger trips over the 18,249 trips recorded in July 2024. July’s ridership included 3,019 trips recorded as part of the ‘Youth Ride Free’ program, a 19 percent increase over July 2024.
Spearfish Canyon Gold Exploration Plan Draws Nearly 1,800 Comments Amid Environmental Concerns
UNDATED — A proposed gold exploration project by Solitario Resources near Spearfish Canyon has sparked strong opposition, with 1,774 public comments submitted to the U.S. Forest Service. The Colorado-based company plans up to 49 drill sites on public land above the canyon, prompting concerns over water quality, fragile rock formations, wildlife, and recreational impacts. The City of Spearfish, tribal nations, conservation groups, and outdoor enthusiasts are urging further environmental review. Solitario insists deeper studies are unnecessary and maintains their drilling process is safe. The Forest Service is now reviewing feedback to decide whether to allow the project or require an environmental assessment.
Veteran’s Cross-Country Motorcycle Ride Honors Grandfather, Raises Awareness for Veteran Suicide
STURGIS, S.D. — Matthew Wolford, a Northern California veteran, stopped in Sturgis this week during a 16,000-mile motorcycle journey across the U.S. to honor his late grandfather and bring attention to veteran suicide. Riding his Harley-Davidson Street Glide, “Yolanda,” Wolford has carried his grandfather’s ashes from California to West Virginia and beyond, calling it a “final Harley ride.” The 10-year combat veteran launched a YouTube channel and wrote a book, Thriving Through Trauma, to share his healing journey and help others struggling with trauma. Wolford shares his story on social media as @MrWolford and says his mission is to reach even just one person who needs hope.
Closure of Midwest-based newspaper chain leaves dozens of communities without a news source
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — News Media Corp., an Illinois-based publisher, has announced the abrupt closure of dozens of newspapers across five states due to financial problems. The company said Thursday that it will shut down 14 operations in Wyoming, seven in Illinois, five in Arizona, four in South Dakota and one in Nebraska. This move affects small-town newspapers that were often the primary news source, worsening the issue of news deserts in rural areas. The closure comes amid a decades-long decline in local newspapers, with the U.S. losing over a third of its print newspapers since 2004. Employees expressed shock and disappointment at the sudden announcement.
Trump says he would meet with Putin even if the Russian leader won’t meet with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
President Donald Trump says he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader won’t meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The comments suggested the U.S. and Russia could soon hold a summit. Trump was asked Thursday by a reporter if Putin would need to meet with Zelenskyy in order to secure a meeting with the U.S.. He said no. Putin said earlier in the day that he hoped to meet with Trump next week, possibly in the United Arab Emirates. Putin’s remarks came on the eve of a White House deadline for Moscow to show progress toward ending the three-year-old war in Ukraine or suffer additional economic sanctions.
More than 1,000 United Airlines flights delayed in the US due to technology problem
An undisclosed “technology issue” delayed more than 1,000 United Airlines flights across the U.S. United Airlines said in a statement Wednesday that flights on major routes were held at their departure airports because of a technology issue. The airline on Wednesday night said the underlying issue had been resolved but some delays remained. An alert on the Federal Aviation Administration website Wednesday says all United Airlines flights destined for Chicago were halted at their departing airports. The agency says Denver, Newark, Houston, and San Francisco airports were also impacted by halted flights.
Americans get more than half their calories from ultra-processed foods, CDC report says
A new federal report finds that most Americans get more than half their calories from ultra-processed foods. Overall, about 55% of calories consumed by Americans older than age 1 came from ultra-processed foods during August 2021 to August 2023. The top sources include burgers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, savory snacks, pizza and sweetened drinks. Ultra-processed foods have been linked to chronic health problems. One surprising finding: Consumption of ultra-processed foods appeared to dip slightly over the past decade. One nutritionist says there may be greater awareness of the foods’ potential harms.